The government has confirmed plans to offer £10 theatre tickets to young people as part of a new nationwide programme designed to bring the arts to those who may never have experienced them.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced that up to £15 million from the Every Child Can programme will support the National Theatre to work with The National Lottery Community Fund and regional theatres across England. The initiative forms part of the Prime Minister's £688 million plan to improve the experience of growing up across the country.
National Theatre Nationwide Programme
Ms Nandy revealed the programme alongside actors including Jim Carter, Adjoa Andoh, Adrian Lester, Imelda Staunton and Bella Maclean. Over 100,000 young people who may never have experienced theatre due to cost or where they live will have world-class theatre brought to them, with opportunities to explore acting, directing, playwriting and backstage roles.
Training and workshops will be provided to help young people develop skills for careers in the creative industries, both on stage and behind the screen. National Theatre touring productions will offer £10 tickets to make performances affordable, with productions specifically designed for young audiences to tour up to 400 schools.
Additional Funding and Opportunities
A new music theatre programme will create original community productions, a Skills Roadshow will bring opportunities directly to young people in areas without theatres, and a new Nationwide Youth Council will give them a voice in how activities are designed, developed and delivered.
The government also announced an additional £106 million from the Dormant Assets Scheme for the Every Child Can programme. Its total funding is now up to £238.5 million, with the remaining £173 million set to open to organisations across England in 2027 to support more opportunities for young people to develop new skills, discover their interests and build real-life connections.
Reactions from Culture Secretary and Theatre Stars
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "I am tired of being told that not everybody can or should have access to the best of what this country has to offer. Arts and culture gives the chance to live a richer, larger life and that chance should be afforded to every young person.
"Experiencing the joy of theatre shouldn't be restricted to only those who can afford it or who were born in the right postcode. This programme takes the very best of the National Theatre and brings it to the doorsteps of our young people across the country, many for the first time ever, to help them find their spark, expand their horizons and encourage them to see a creative future for themselves."
Actor Sir Ian McKellen stated: "It is appropriate that a National Theatre should live up to its name by taking their work round the country. For young audiences living far away from the NT's London headquarters, here is a chance to see them close to home and get involved. If this means that theatre-going becomes a habit rather than an occasional adventure, hurrah!
"Live theatre has been available in this country ever since the birth of modern drama. It is increasingly costly, so it's encouraging to all of us who care about the future of live theatre, that central government is playing its part, supporting theatre people and our audiences."
Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, Kate Varah stated: "A young person's chance to experience the transformative benefits of theatre should not depend on their postcode or what their family can afford.
"National Theatre Nationwide turns this groundbreaking government investment into practical opportunities for young people in every region: be that a seat at a major production offering a first experience of theatre, seeing a schools show that unlocks their learning potential, the chance to write or make a show themselves or discover a hands-on career behind the scenes."
